Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

Pediatric study looks at evidence-based predictors of biphasic allergic reactions

Children are more likely to have a repeat, delayed anaphylactic reaction from the same allergic cause, depending on the severity of the initial reaction. The first pediatric study to look at the predictors for this phenomenon was published today in Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

22 Jun 2015

UNC Lineberger scientists contribute to better understanding of genetic mutations in melanoma

UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers have significantly contributed to a better understanding of the genetic alterations found in cutaneous melanoma, the most lethal form of skin cancer, as part of a multi-institution, international effort of The Cancer Genome Atlas.

19 Jun 2015

Analysis of ancient DNA shows that Kennewick Man more closely related to Native Americans

DNA from the 8,500-year-old skeleton of an adult man found in 1996, in Washington, is more closely related to Native American populations than to any other population in the world, according to an international collaborative study conducted by scientists at the University of Copenhagen and the Stanford University School of Medicine.

19 Jun 2015

University of Delaware researchers identify prime suspects in cataract formation

When cataracts encroach on the eyes, the only effective remedy is to surgically replace the eyes' lenses with synthetic substitutes. But what if scientists found a way to delay or prevent cataracts from forming in the first place? Researchers at the University of Delaware may have found such an opportunity by identifying the prime suspects in the formation of cataracts - deficiency of two genes that encode regulatory proteins.

19 Jun 2015

Nucleoporin proteins play significant role in maintaining embryonic stem cells

What if you found out that pieces of your front door were occasionally flying off the door frame to carry out chores around the house? That's the kind of surprise scientists at the Salk Institute experienced with their recent discovery that nucleoporins -- proteins that act as cellular 'doorways' to help manage what goes in and out of a cell's nucleus -- are actually much bigger players in expressing genes than previously thought.

19 Jun 2015

Study demonstrates potential of new approach for sorting out BRCA1 gene variants

Patients seeking certainty in genetic tests often receive a perplexing result. Many learn they carry a 'variant of unknown significance' of a disease-linked gene. Such variants might -- or equally might not -- increase disease risk.

19 Jun 2015

$Phase 3 study shows Vectibix meets primary endpoint in patients with chemorefractory wild-type KRAS mCRC$

Phase 3 study shows Vectibix meets primary endpoint in patients with chemorefractory wild-type KRAS mCRC

Amgen today announced that a Phase 3 study evaluating Vectibix (panitumumab) and best supportive care (BSC) met its primary endpoint, demonstrating a statistically significant improvement in overall survival (OS) in patients with chemorefractory wild-type KRAS (exon 2) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) compared to those patients treated with BSC alone.

19 Jun 2015

EPFL scientists show how a major effector protein binds chromatin and regulates gene expression

Inside the cell, DNA is tightly coiled and packed with several proteins into a structure called "chromatin", which allows DNA to fit in the cell while also preventing genes from being expressed at the wrong time. Guided by a chemical "barcode", specialized effector proteins can bind chromatin and either unwind it or compact further to activate or silence genes.

18 Jun 2015

Researchers track down key gene mutation responsible for causing acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Two medical researchers from the Children's Hospital of Michigan and the Wayne State University School of Medicine have published the results of a nearly 10-year investigation that identified a key gene mutation that can trigger acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or ALL, and several other types of cancer.

18 Jun 2015

Vinculin protein levels increase with age to alter shape, performance of cardiac muscle cells

The human heart makes precious few new cells but manages to generate billions of life-sustaining beats as it grows old.

18 Jun 2015

MGH researchers develop new approach to skin rejuvenation

A new approach to skin rejuvenation developed at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) may be less likely to have unintended side effects such as scarring and altered pigmentation.

18 Jun 2015

Findings could lead to treatments for chronic pain caused by nerve damage

Non-narcotic treatments for chronic pain that work well in people, not just mice, are sorely needed. Drawing from human pain genetics, an international team led by Boston Children's Hospital demonstrates a way to break the cycle of pain hypersensitivity without the development of addiction, tolerance or side effects.

18 Jun 2015

Two MGH physicians describe their experiences in Nepal earthquake relief efforts

Two Massachusetts General Hospital physicians who participated in the international response to the major earthquakes that hit Nepal in April and May each describe their experiences in Perspectives articles receiving Online First publication today in the New England Journal of Medicine.

18 Jun 2015

Highly efficient ChIP assay kit for FFPE samples

Chromatrap®, a business unit of Porvair Sciences, has introduced a new Formaldehyde Fixed Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) ChIP Kit which overcomes the widely acknowledged shortfalls of the technique.

From Chromatrap® - Porvair Sciences Ltd 17 Jun 2015

Allergan agrees to acquire KYTHERA Biopharmaceuticals for $2.1 billion

Allergan plc, a leading global pharmaceutical company, and KYTHERA Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel prescription products for the aesthetic medicine market, today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Allergan has agreed to acquire KYTHERA in a cash and equity transaction valued at $75 per KYTHERA share, or approximately $2.1 billion.

17 Jun 2015

MGH-CEM researchers develop novel approach to evaluate the liver's drug-metabolizing activity

A team of researchers from the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Engineering in Medicine (MGH-CEM) has developed a novel approach that dramatically simplifies the evaluation of the liver's drug-metabolizing activity and the potential toxic effects of the products of that activity on other organs.

17 Jun 2015

Future Cardiology’s special issue focuses on recent advances, challenges in cardiology

In recognition of 10 years of publication Future Cardiology has launched a special issue focused on recent advances and emerging challenges in specific areas of cardiology.

17 Jun 2015

Researchers create cell lines to study gene expression in precursor brown fat and white fat cells

Since the 2009 discovery that energy-burning brown fat can be active in adults, research has raced ahead to understand this tissue and exploit it to treat the epidemic of obesity. Active brown fat also may assist in directly easing the burden of diabetes and related metabolic diseases by lowering the levels of glucose and fatty acids in the bloodstream. But progress in studying human brown fat often has been slowed by difficulties in obtaining and studying samples of the human cells that develop into brown fat.

17 Jun 2015

New book provides valuable information on childhood and adolescent obesity

Obesity is a major disease burden in all societies and needs to be prevented early in life. New approaches are eagerly sought and absolutely necessary. This new volume presents a wealth of information on childhood and adolescent obesity, from causes and consequences to societal aspects and prevention of obesity as well as its management.

16 Jun 2015

Vitamin D deficiency can leave people less able to fight HIV-1 infection

Vitamin D plays an important part in the human immune response and deficiency can leave individuals less able to fight infections like HIV-1. Now an international team of researchers has found that high-dose vitamin D supplementation can reverse the deficiency and also improve immune response.

16 Jun 2015

Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

Pediatric study looks at evidence-based predictors of biphasic allergic reactions

UNC Lineberger scientists contribute to better understanding of genetic mutations in melanoma

Analysis of ancient DNA shows that Kennewick Man more closely related to Native Americans

University of Delaware researchers identify prime suspects in cataract formation

Nucleoporin proteins play significant role in maintaining embryonic stem cells

Study demonstrates potential of new approach for sorting out BRCA1 gene variants

Phase 3 study shows Vectibix meets primary endpoint in patients with chemorefractory wild-type KRAS mCRC

EPFL scientists show how a major effector protein binds chromatin and regulates gene expression

Researchers track down key gene mutation responsible for causing acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Vinculin protein levels increase with age to alter shape, performance of cardiac muscle cells

MGH researchers develop new approach to skin rejuvenation

Findings could lead to treatments for chronic pain caused by nerve damage

Two MGH physicians describe their experiences in Nepal earthquake relief efforts

Highly efficient ChIP assay kit for FFPE samples

Allergan agrees to acquire KYTHERA Biopharmaceuticals for $2.1 billion

MGH-CEM researchers develop novel approach to evaluate the liver's drug-metabolizing activity

Future Cardiology’s special issue focuses on recent advances, challenges in cardiology

Researchers create cell lines to study gene expression in precursor brown fat and white fat cells

New book provides valuable information on childhood and adolescent obesity

Vitamin D deficiency can leave people less able to fight HIV-1 infection

Sequencing & Genomics: Elevating Science and Healthcare eBook

How GLP‑1 Agonists Are Shaping the Future of Obesity Treatment With Dr Bryony Henderson

Flow chemistry, AI, and NMR: A next-gen approach to scalable API production

Digital pathology and the PathoVerse: A conversation with Dr. Singh